Antique Map of Nièvre by Vuillemin, France, 1850

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Original antique map of the French department of Nièvre, published in Paris around 1850 by the French cartographer Alexandre Vuillemin. … Read more Original antique map of the French department of Nièvre, published in Paris around 1850 by the French cartographer Alexandre Vuillemin. The map was issued as part of Vuillemin’s celebrated decorative atlas La France Illustrée, a publication admired for combining detailed regional cartography with historical portraits, architectural views and ornamental embellishments. Numbered 57, the map depicts the department’s towns, villages, roads, rivers and administrative boundaries. The borders and internal divisions are enhanced with attractive original hand colouring. Prominent locations shown include Nevers, Clamecy, Château-Chinon, Cosne, La Charité-sur-Loire, Decize, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Corbigny, Varzy, Guérigny, Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye, Cercy-la-Tour, Luzy and numerous smaller communities throughout the historic Nivernais region. The decorative composition includes the coat of arms of Nièvre, a portrait labelled Adam Billaut de Nevers, a panoramic view of Nevers beside the Loire and an architectural vignette of the Maison d’Adam. Adam Billaut, shown at the left of the map, was a seventeenth-century French author associated with Nevers. The western part of Nièvre is also closely associated with important Loire Valley wines. Pouilly-Fumé is produced from Sauvignon Blanc, while Pouilly-sur-Loire is made from Chasselas. Both appellations are centred around Pouilly-sur-Loire in the Nièvre department. The Coteaux du Giennois wine region also extends along the Loire towards Cosne-sur-Loire. An appealing map for collectors of French cartography, Burgundy history, Loire Valley wines, Nevers decorative arts and nineteenth-century engravings. This is an original antique engraving and not a modern reproduction. It is offered unframed. Any framed images are shown for presentation purposes only.

Technique: Engraving with original hand colouring Maker: Alexandre Vuillemin Place of Publication: Paris, France Date: Circa 1850 Source: La France Illustrée Department: Nièvre, number 57 Region: Historic Nivernais, Burgundy, France Condition: Good antique condition with general age-related toning, light foxing, scattered marks and minor wear around the margins. The original hand-coloured borders remain clearly visible. Wear is consistent with age and use. Please examine the images carefully as they form an important part of the condition . See less